My son loves those noodles soups that come in a package and so I started to experiment with a healthier version. This recipe is very healthy as it has lots of greens and I use organic noodles made from brown rice. It makes a hearty meal on its own and warms the soul on a cold day.

Directions:
1. Heat a medium stock pot on medium heat. Add the oil and 3 veggies. Cook until soft about 10 mins.
2. Add the remaining ingredients except the noodles. Bring to a boil.
3. Cook the noodles as instructed and add 1 cup to a bowl and top with the soup.

I want to wish all my readers a Happy New Year and prosperous 2014. Thank you all for following and I hope to share more insightful information, recipes, restaurant reviews and food stories with you this year.

Guest contributor and local Ayurvedic practitioner Madhuri Phillips has co-written the book “Your Irresistible Life” with Glynnis Osher where they share how to stay in balance by following Ayurvedic practices during the various season. I have been following Ayurveda for over 20 years and use its simple practices in my daily life. This book is great a resource for staying in balance throughout the year. ~Lily

The Top 5 to Thrive in 2014: Ayurveda Has Solutions

By Madhuri Phillips

Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga is gaining popularity here in the West as it teaches us how to return to living in harmony with nature amongst the busy-ness of our daily lives. This 5000 year-old system of natural medicine has sound, effective and simple tools for helping us to maintain balance in mind and body. Here are 5 Ayurvedic tips to keep you thriving:

1) The very first thought of your day sets the tone for how your day will unfold. Consciously set a positive intention because what you focus on expands. If you’re not sure where to start, a simple affirmation such as “Today is a great day!” gets you moving in the right direction.

2) Scrape your tongue. Before you drink or eat anything use a tongue scraper (buy a your health food store) or even the back of a metal spoon to scrape the toxins (in Ayurveda we call this ama) off of your tongue.

3) Drink warm water with a squeeze of lemon in the morning to cleanse the body and organs and assist with elimination.

4) Breathe deeply and often. Meditate and be still for at least 5 minutes a day. And, get your body moving. Be sure to exercise daily too: walk in nature, dance in your living room, play with the kids, allow it to be fun and invigorating!

5) Drink CCF Tea to keep your digestion strong and healthy. This is Cumin, Coriander and Fennel tea (recipe below) and assists in detoxification, reducing gas, indigestion, bloating and balancing the ph levels of the body.

Ayurvedic CCF Tea

Take 1 tsp of each cumin, coriander and fennel seeds. Put 4 cups of water and the seeds into a pot and bring to a boil. Once the mixture has reaches a boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Madhuri is an Ayurvedic Practitioner (CAS), Bio-Energy Practitioner & Yoga Teacher Trainer (ERYT). Along with her popular Ayurvedic Yoga DVD, her book, “Your Irresistible Life: 4 Seasons of Self-Care Through Ayurveda & Yoga Practices that Work” is now available. Explore how to work one on one with Madhuri at: www.madhuriayurvedayoga.com. Purchase Madhuri’s book at http://glynnisandmadhuri.com/your-irresistible-life/

For Mother’s Day, I got a beautiful new juicer and it has become my best friend. I have fallen back in love with juicing and make this staple drink regularly. I usually add apples or beets to most juices to add sweetness and cut any strong flavour from other veggies. The ginger adds quite a kick and is great for detoxing the system.

In the cold Northern Parts of India, a tall cup of hot lemon ginger honey tea is satisfying. The heating qualities of ginger warms the body and after chai, this is my second favourite Indian tea. At home in Canada I make this tea on a brisk winter’s day or if I feel a cold coming on. In India you can get variations of this drink by omitting an ingredient, lemon ginger, ginger honey etc. You can make a herbal version of this tea or lightly steep a tea bag until the tea turns a golden amber. Adjust the quantities to satisfy your taste.